Girl Scouts

March 14, 2013 7:30 AM

Photo: Peter Breinig/The Chronicle

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March 29, 1988: Girl Scouts sell cookies outside the Walgreen's on Clement in San Francisco. A strolling smoker absorbed in her Walkman cassette (I'm guessing Yanni's 'Keys to Imagination') walks by, oblivious to their Trefoils and adorable bangs. It's hard to be a Scout in The City. less

March 1942: This was the earliest photo in the Chronicle 'Girl Scouts' file. I'm getting a strong Grease/Pink Ladies vibe from this quartet. Girl Scout cookie history in the U.S. dates back to 1917, but the first Chronicle story documenting sales in San Francisco appeared in 1947. less

March 1942: This was the earliest photo in the Chronicle 'Girl Scouts' file. I'm getting a strong Grease/Pink Ladies vibe from this quartet. Girl Scout cookie history in the U.S. dates back to 1917, but the ... more

Photo: Chronicle Staff, The Chronicle

March 1942: This was the earliest photo in the Chronicle 'Girl... Photo-4324056.58407 - StamfordAdvocate

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March 10, 1956: Martha Phillips and Evelyn Vattuone eat the product during an early Girl Scouts cookie sale. They sold vanilla and vanilla/chocolate cookies, which sold for 35 and 40 cents. The coats are frumpy, but the head wear has a rakish (then 8-year-old) Samuel L. Jackson vibe. less

March 10, 1956: Martha Phillips and Evelyn Vattuone eat the product during an early Girl Scouts cookie sale. They sold vanilla and vanilla/chocolate cookies, which sold for 35 and 40 cents. The coats are ... more

March 9, 1957: Ambush! Girl Scout salesgirls Lucinda Canatsy and Sandra La Ferrera corner Jerd Sullivan at his downtown San Francisco office. Judging by their grins, I'm betting he's on the hook for at least 10 boxes. (Put them in the freezer, Jerd, and you can eat them all year.) less

March 9, 1957: Ambush! Girl Scout salesgirls Lucinda Canatsy and Sandra La Ferrera corner Jerd Sullivan at his downtown San Francisco office. Judging by their grins, I'm betting he's on the hook for at least 10 ... more

March 6, 1949: Girl Scouts from San Francisco meet with Archbishop John J. Mitty, immortalized by Mitty High School. An impressive figure -- I can't believe this guy was passed over for Pope. Based on the photos and articles, scouting had strong religious ties in the early years. less

March 6, 1949: Girl Scouts from San Francisco meet with Archbishop John J. Mitty, immortalized by Mitty High School. An impressive figure -- I can't believe this guy was passed over for Pope. Based on the ... more

Oct. 19, 1953: Michelle Gerelli, Linda Hunt, Joan Allegretti, Carole Keyworth and Michal Cox sing at a talent show. This is the first use of the sash that appeared in Chronicle photos. If I'm reading the badges correctly, two of these girls are paratroopers and one killed a bear. less

Oct. 19, 1953: Michelle Gerelli, Linda Hunt, Joan Allegretti, Carole Keyworth and Michal Cox sing at a talent show. This is the first use of the sash that appeared in Chronicle photos. If I'm reading the badges ... more

May 27, 1960: Girl Scouts kick off their latest cookie sale on a motorized cable car knockoff, which would zip around the city while the girls hung on and offered cookie-themed songs. Proof that Girl Scouts were resourceful, and vehicle safety laws were next to nonexistent in 1960. less

May 27, 1960: Girl Scouts kick off their latest cookie sale on a motorized cable car knockoff, which would zip around the city while the girls hung on and offered cookie-themed songs. Proof that Girl Scouts ... more

May 27, 1960: A closer look at the cookies being sold by the cable car Girl Scouts. The mint wafers were an early version of Thin Mints. Girl Scout cookies were a huge seller by 1955, when the Chronicle reported that the two-week stock of 120,000 boxes was sold out in two days. less

May 27, 1960: A closer look at the cookies being sold by the cable car Girl Scouts. The mint wafers were an early version of Thin Mints. Girl Scout cookies were a huge seller by 1955, when the Chronicle ... more

Photo: Peter Breinig, The Chronicle

May 27, 1960: A closer look at the cookies being sold by the cable... Photo-4324062.58407 - StamfordAdvocate

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Evolution of Girl Scout socks, from 1942 and 1960. I like both of these a lot. The older campfire symbol is great -- especially with the saddle shoes. If the Scouts have extras, I would gladly take a three-pack of the trefoil symbol on the left and wear them when I play basketball. less

Evolution of Girl Scout socks, from 1942 and 1960. I like both of these a lot. The older campfire symbol is great -- especially with the saddle shoes. If the Scouts have extras, I would gladly take a three-pack ... more

Photo: Chronicle Staff, The Chronicle

Evolution of Girl Scout socks, from 1942 and 1960. I like both of... Photo-4324063.58407 - StamfordAdvocate

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Sept. 18, 1974: Girl Scouts protest scouting fee increases, at the Oakland Scottish Rites Temple. Not sure if the well-intentioned lady on the far right realizes what her sign implies. This photo was taken by 'Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima' photographer Joe Rosenthal. less

Sept. 18, 1974: Girl Scouts protest scouting fee increases, at the Oakland Scottish Rites Temple. Not sure if the well-intentioned lady on the far right realizes what her sign implies. This photo was taken by ... more

Aug. 9, 1982: Were they busted for passing off counterfeit Samoas? Nothing that scandalous. San Francisco Girl Scouts learn the legal system while checking out a cell at the SF Northern Police Station. This was the start of the plaid madness stage in Girl Scout uniform history. less

Aug. 9, 1982: Were they busted for passing off counterfeit Samoas? Nothing that scandalous. San Francisco Girl Scouts learn the legal system while checking out a cell at the SF Northern Police Station. This was ... more

April 4, 1984: Brownie troop 167 sells Girl Scout cookies at the Embarcadero Center in San Francisco. You can see them operating with the classic cookie sale flanking technique. Based on the photos, 1980s Girl Scouts hunted exactly like the velociraptors in Jurassic Park. less

April 4, 1984: Brownie troop 167 sells Girl Scout cookies at the Embarcadero Center in San Francisco. You can see them operating with the classic cookie sale flanking technique. Based on the photos, 1980s Girl ... more

April 11, 1986: San Francisco Girl Scouts attend a talk about safety when dealing with strangers. It seems as if fashions were often 10 years behind with the Scouts. Half the cast of 'Barney Miller' was wearing shirts like these in the 1970s. less

April 11, 1986: San Francisco Girl Scouts attend a talk about safety when dealing with strangers. It seems as if fashions were often 10 years behind with the Scouts. Half the cast of 'Barney Miller' was wearing ... more

Mar. 29, 1988: What kind of cold-hearted person *wouldn't* buy cookies from these Girl Scouts. I'm assuming they're sisters. If you know them, please have them contact me at phartlaub@sfchronicle.com. I'd like an interview for my Let's Go to the Q&A project. less

Mar. 29, 1988: What kind of cold-hearted person *wouldn't* buy cookies from these Girl Scouts. I'm assuming they're sisters. If you know them, please have them contact me at phartlaub@sfchronicle.com. I'd like ... more

March 29, 1988: One more photo, showing the cookie prices and Girl Scout troop number. Cookie prices shot up from 35 cents to $2.50 between 1952 and 1988, with a controversial 50 cent hike in 1991. But they've only climbed another $1 per box in the 22 years since. less

March 29, 1988: One more photo, showing the cookie prices and Girl Scout troop number. Cookie prices shot up from 35 cents to $2.50 between 1952 and 1988, with a controversial 50 cent hike in 1991. But they've ... more

Photo: Deanne Fitzmaurice, The Chronicle

March 29, 1988: One more photo, showing the cookie prices and Girl... Photo-4324069.58407 - StamfordAdvocate

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March 18, 1988: Stephanie Schroeder sells cookies in San Francisco. She looks somewhat disinterested in this photo. But by the 1980s, Girl Scout cookies were becoming a buyer's market. That's how addiction works. This guy's probably spending his last $2.50 on some Thin Mints. less

March 18, 1988: Stephanie Schroeder sells cookies in San Francisco. She looks somewhat disinterested in this photo. But by the 1980s, Girl Scout cookies were becoming a buyer's market. That's how addiction ... more

Feb. 14, 2013: Maggie Brown, 9, of San Francisco sells Girl Scout cookies on the corner of Chestnut and Pierce Streets in San Francisco. The red wagon is a nice Norman Rockwell touch. Note the casual clothing and lack of a sash. (I'm not a Girl Scout vest fan. Reminds me of Target.) less

Feb. 14, 2013: Maggie Brown, 9, of San Francisco sells Girl Scout cookies on the corner of Chestnut and Pierce Streets in San Francisco. The red wagon is a nice Norman Rockwell touch. Note the casual clothing ... more

Feb. 13, 2013: I splurged on a Thin Mint for every letter in this caption. I look forward to Girl Scout cookie season, especially when the scouts themselves do the selling. (Chronicle employees know not to come to my desk on behalf of their kids.) Good luck to all Bay Area scouts. less

Feb. 13, 2013: I splurged on a Thin Mint for every letter in this caption. I look forward to Girl Scout cookie season, especially when the scouts themselves do the selling. (Chronicle employees know not to come ... more

Photo: Mike Staugaitis, Associated Press

Feb. 13, 2013: I splurged on a Thin Mint for every letter in this... Photo-4324072.58407 - StamfordAdvocate

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An article from the 1951 Chronicle about the Girl Scout Cookie sales.

An article from the 1951 Chronicle about the Girl Scout Cookie sales.

Photo: Chronicle Archives

An article from the 1951 Chronicle about the Girl Scout Cookie sales. Photo-4324073.58407 - StamfordAdvocate

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An editorial from the 1955 Chronicle about the Girl Scout cookie sales

An editorial from the 1955 Chronicle about the Girl Scout cookie sales

Photo: Chronicle Archives, The Chronicle

An editorial from the 1955 Chronicle about the Girl Scout cookie sales Photo-4324074.58407 - StamfordAdvocate

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March 1948: Girl Scouts at a non-sectarian church service, Temple Emmanuel in San Francisco.

March 1948: Girl Scouts at a non-sectarian church service, Temple Emmanuel in San Francisco.

Photo: Chronicle Staff, The Chronicle

March 1948: Girl Scouts at a non-sectarian church service, Temple... Photo-4324075.58407 - StamfordAdvocate